Online Hawaii Colleges & Universities

Online College Degree in Hawaii

Have you always dreamed of living in the lush landscape of Hawaii? Are you thinking that now that it’s time to start working on your post-secondary education that it is a great time to move there? So, in order to convince your parents are you working to compile a list of legitimate school options to show them how serious you are? Hawaii, which is the only state that is entirely made up of small islands, offers a tremendous amount of exciting and beneficial things to students. Regardless of what part of Hawaii you are visiting or living in, you will have the chance to experience public beaches, a warm tropical climate, an oceanic surrounding, and active volcanoes. Although Honolulu serves as the capital of Hawaii and is the largest island of O’ahu, Hawaii as a whole state has over one million permanent residents. While in Hawaii, you will have the chance to experience a vibrant, native culture that also shows evidence of Asian and North American influences.

Regardless of whether you plan to attend school to obtain a bachelor’s degree, a master’s level degree, or a doctoral level degree, Hawaii has four nationally accredited universities that offer degree programs in most every field of study that you can imagine. It is important to note that most of the post-secondary learning institutions are located in or around Honolulu; however, many of these schools also have branch campuses that are scattered in other locations throughout the state. As with most any state, students can choose from private colleges, public universities, community colleges, and junior colleges. In addition, if you would like to pursue your education through an online learning format, many of the schools have options that will allow you to work in a fully online degree program or a hybrid approach to your degree program.

The University of Hawaii is likely to be a great choice for you as you work to obtain a formal degree. This educational system is comprised of seven community colleges and three four year universities. Therefore, by attending this university you will have the choice of being located in an area of Manoa, West Oahu, or Hilo; if you plan to attend one of the community colleges there are many locations to choose from, also. It is important to note that the three main university campuses may not each offer the same degree programs at the same levels; therefore, it is a good idea to check into what is offered in your intended field of study. Another choice would be for you to attend Hawaii Private University, which is the largest private university in the state. This well-known, diverse campus makes it possible for you to study at the Loa campus, at the Oceanic Institute in Waimanalo, or at the downtown Honolulu campus. In addition to these two large universities, there are many choices that are religiously based. For instance, you could attend Chaminade University, which is a catholic university in Honolulu; or maybe the Brigham Young University, which is operated by the Church of Latter Day Saints, will be a better fit for you.

Online College Education in Hawaii

One of the key phases in a person’s life is going to college. College opens up a whole new world, full of dreams, hopes, and possibilities. It determines the path your life will take in the future, and prepares you to thrive in the real world on your own. Meeting new people, learning something new all the while, and enjoying all of it – the college experience is truly unique and wonderful.
As going to college is such a massive and impactful decision, you should leave no stone unturned when researching which college to go to. You need to thoroughly consider all the factors associated with your state of choice, including the weather, locale, environment, cost of living, availability of job opportunities, and many others. Completing graduation will require you to do lots of research, making it imperative that you also have a good idea of the research opportunities available in that particular state.
One great state you can go to for your higher education is Hawaii. It has more than 20 public and private institutions for higher education, in addition to several specialty schools offering programs in alternative medicine and acupuncture. Despite being a small state, the top four-year degree institutions in Hawaii are spread out amongst its four major islands, with the capital city of Honolulu being home to the largest concentration of higher education institutions in the state. Every college offers different programs of varying durations, have varying tuition costs, and allow different numbers of students to enroll. This helps you pick the correct college for you, and move forwards from there.
In addition to the colleges you can go to in Hawaii, there are also plenty of lush sceneries you can feast your eyes on, with major attractions including the likes of the Honolulu Zoo, the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Imiloa Astronomy Center, and the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor. The tropical climate is highly enjoyable, and the unique flora and fauna of the state islands makes Hawaii particularly appealing to students and professionals interested in this field. Residents in Hawaii earn an average income of $42,055 per year, which saw this state ranked fifteenth for per-capita income in the United States in 2009. More than 30% of the residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, and more than 90% Hawaiians in the same age group hold at least a high school diploma, making both these statistics above national averages in these categories.

Top Colleges in Hawaii

Brigham Young University – Hawaii
Located in Laie in the north of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, this university has a 100-acre campus. It is an international center for learning in the Pacific and its student population represents 70 countries.
Brigham Young University – Hawaii is run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Students follow the university’s honor code, which is modeled on the church’s standards. The intellectual course content helps students combine spiritual growth with secular learning, and provides them with moral, spiritual, and ethical enrichment, which allows them to be successful in their pursuit of career paths.
Brigham Young University – Hawaii is constantly ranked among the best colleges in Hawaii. It is closely associated with the Polynesian Cultural Center, which is a popular tourist attraction. The four schools in the university allow students to pursue degrees in disciplines such as math, the sciences, language and culture, business and computing, and human development.
Some degree programs offered by Brigham Young University – Hawaii are:Accounting
Called “the language of business”, this field enables students to pursue a variety of careers in business. Accounting majors gain an additional advantage over others – they get specialized training which gives them immediately saleable skills. The professors are highly qualified in their respective fields, and are committed to both the university’s prophetic mission, as well as the individual success of the students. Graduates of this program get accepted at the top graduate schools, and get employed in highly respectable jobs. Political Science
The department of Political Science in Brigham Young University – Hawaii instills one thing in each and every student – the drive and determination to promote world peace and address world problems. Students study about power and how people organize their public life. Theories and statistics on human behavior and world events help them to get a firm grasp on political systems and power. They develop strong writing, reading, communication, and analysis skills, in addition to learning to adapt, and work both individually as well as with others. University of Hawaii at Manoa
Located at the core of Honolulu, the University of Hawaii at Manoa is one of the best universities in the state. It is unparalleled when it comes to the number of degrees offered, thanks to the 98 undergraduate majors offered by this institution. In addition, this university also offers 85 graduate majors and 53 doctoral degrees, as well as a whole host of other minors and other certificate programs. This university’s research on ocean and marine science, as well as its academic focus on environmental and earth science makes it renowned worldwide.
The campus of University of Hawaii at Manoa is integral to the NASA coral study. Smoking is strictly prohibited in the university, and that includes a no-smoking policy on e-cigarettes as well. Moreover, students are given extensive help to quit smoking by utilizing the plentiful smoking cessation resources available.
Some degree programs offered by University of Hawaii at Manoa include:Biological Engineering
This program focuses on providing students with a unique opportunity to study the basics of engineering and biology, and the applications of engineering to biological systems. Students learn about biological engineering procedures such as processing biomass for alternative energy uses, bioremediation and biological treatment of wastes, bioreactor design for producing high-valued biological products, and sensors and control engineering for biological systems. The undergraduate curriculum includes a comprehensive covering of the basic sciences, engineering mathematics, core engineering, and specialized biological engineering courses. Graduates go on to practice engineering in fields including the likes of biotechnology, energy, environmental systems, agriculture, and more.Chemistry
This program is closely related to both physics and biology. It teaches students to study the techniques and materials needed to comprehensively understand the workings of living organisms, and provide insights. It also allows students to search for solutions to the ecological problems brought about by the continually expanding range of human activities. Graduates go on to pursue careers in a huge pool of chemistry-related jobs in the manufacturing industries. University of Hawaii – West Oahu
The University of Hawaii – West Oahu is among the best colleges in Hawaii. It offers six bachelor’s degrees and seven certificate programs across 33 study areas to students. The courses are designed in such a way that students study and practice a combination of their field of interest and a liberal arts foundation. This university once served students as the upper division of West Oahu College, and maintains a student to faculty ratio of 24:1.
The STEM Center of Excellence is one of the newest programs in this college, funded by the Office of Naval Research. The projects are focused on improving lab space, developing a facilities management bachelor’s degree, and developing a portal for measuring and displaying current seismic activity and weather conditions.
Some degree programs offered by University of Hawaii – West Oahu include:Finance
This program teaches students to analyze the process of obtaining and allocating funds in order to purchase capital. It focuses on the risk-return relationship and the maximization of return for a given level of risk. Students gain a strong knowledge of analytical and mathematical problem solving skills in order to assess the financial performance of a firm, and design new risk-reducing strategies. Graduates go on to pursue careers in insurance, real estate, consulting, commercial and investment banking, non-profit organizations, and government. They can also find employment as statisticians, analysts, financial advisors, consultants, managers, actuaries, brokers, and more. Marketing
This program helps students analyze processes for creating, communicating, and delivering valuable offerings for customers, partners, clients, and the society at large. Students learn to evaluate and develop advertising, public relations, and direct mail campaigns, as well as examine the science of customer behavior and business in terms of promotion and publicity. Graduates pursue career opportunities in sales, management, advertising, consulting, public relations, creative design, and more. Hawaii Pacific University
Hawaii Pacific University is the leading private and nonprofit university in the state, and has a diverse student population representing not only the other states, but also 65 different countries. It offers a wide range of both undergraduate and graduate degree programs across 50 different areas of study, making it one of the best colleges in the state. The sprawling campus is located in downtown Honolulu, with the Ko’olau mountains and the Pacific Ocean serving as backdrops.
Hawaii Pacific University has two other campuses spreading the reach of this college – the LOA campus, which is located eight miles away from the downtown campus and set on 135 acres in a scenic urban setting, and the 56-acre Oceanic Institute on the west coast of Oahu. Hawaii Pacific University is military friendly, and has a presence on seven military bases located on the island of Oahu.
Some degree programs offered by Hawaii Pacific University include:Environmental Science
This program emphasizes on teaching the students about the challenges of today’s environment, such as pollution, deforestation, species loss, oil consumption, and climate change, and aims to develop feasible solutions to these problems. It focuses on the interaction between humans and natural systems, and the connection between science and policy. Students take a series of rigorous courses in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and earth systems science. Towards completing graduation, students can choose to either follow a general environmental science track, or combine environmental science with a chemistry or biology concentration. Graduates follow careers in the public and private sectors as environmental scientists, or pursue advanced studies in the environmental sciences. Nursing
This program teaches students to apply theoretical knowledge to skill and judgment in order to provide safe patient centered care. Students learn and develop several characteristics, such as clinical practice, evidence-based practice, leadership, professionalism, ethics, and gain knowledge about quality improvement, safety, health care informatics, health policy and advocacy, inter-professional collaboration, and transcultural care. University of Hawaii at Hilo
The University of Hawaii at Hilo is regularly ranked among the best colleges in Hawaii thanks to its ability to provide a private college feel despite being a state college. It has an average class size of 20 students, and a 14:1 student to faculty ratio ensures that every student receives proper individual attention, which is often missing in larger universities.
The University of Hawaii at Hilo offers a wide range of academic programs for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, along with more than 30 certification programs. It has a unique and diverse curriculum, with a main program based on agricultural history. Other areas of study include nursing, computer and pharmaceutical sciences, teaching, business, economy, and humanities. Physics
This program is designed to help students understand and explain the way of working of nature, and explores everything from atomic particles to outer-space phenomena. Students conduct various research experiments, which helps them gain the necessary tools and develop the required characteristics to meet real world problems head-on. Graduates of this program go on to pursue careers in a variety of fields, such as engineering, teaching, and medicine. They can also go for advanced studies in various physics related fields after completing graduation. Philosophy
This program is all about human thought, the nature of reason, consciousness, cognition, the basis of knowledge, and the foundations of value. It encourages students to apply rigorous analysis, critical thinking, and consideration of new perspectives to face problems in the real world. The professors are all distinguished achievers in their respective fields, and offer students all the guidance they need. Graduates go on to pursue careers in a variety of professions including computing, business, journalism, administration, and law.

Scholarship Opportunities in Hawaii

All of the universities listed above provide students with numerous scholarship opportunities in order to help them complete their education with minimal financial burden. Some of the most notable scholarships available include:David O. McKay Recruitment Award
Provided by Brigham Young University – Hawaii, this scholarship is applicable to newly admitted freshmen or first time transfer students pursuing an undergraduate degree. In order to be eligible, applicants must be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and enroll and complete a minimum of 14 credit hours every semester. Recipients are awarded either a half or quarter tuition for one semester. This scholarship is non-renewable. Brigham Young University – Hawaii Merit Scholarships
Brigham Young University – Hawaii also offers merit-based scholarships to students. The award amount is categorized by a set range of CGPA. The award amounts are as follows:
• ¼ Tuition for students with a CGPA of 3.250 – 3.549
• ½ Tuition for students with a CGPA of 3.550 – 3.749
• ¾ Tuition for students with a CGPA of 3.750 – 3.949
• Full Tuition for students with a CGPA of 3.950 – 4.0Regents Scholarship
This scholarship is provided by University of Hawaii – West Oahu, and recognizes Hawaiian residents with outstanding academic achievements in high school. Recipients receive a full tuition waiver for four years of undergraduate study, $4,000 per year, and a one-time travel grant of $2,000. Chancellor’s Scholarship
Offered by University of Hawaii at Hilo, this scholarship is for graduates from Hawaii high schools and covers four years of tuition. In order to be eligible, students must graduate from a high school in Hawaii, be a bona fide resident of Hawaii, maintain a GPA of 3.5 or more, complete 24 credits per year, and demonstrate leadership and/or community service.

Careers in Hawaii to Consider

After completing graduation, students look to get employed in various jobs based on their academic area of expertise. The state of Hawaii offers graduates plenty of job opportunities after leaving university, making this state a great place to go to for higher education. Some of the most popular career opportunities in Hawaii are:Accountant
One of the more popular jobs in Hawaii, there were more than 4,800 employments made in this field in May 2016, with an annual mean wage of $61,760. The primary responsibilities of an accountant include:
• Analyzing and preparing financial records and statements
• Computing the amount of taxes owed by individuals and organizations
• Using knowledge of the fundamentals of accounting and business to analyze financial commitments and business costs
• Analyzing, developing, and maintaining budgets
Requirements of being an accountant include:
• Having a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, or other related fields
• Having strong computer skills
• Having impressive organizational and time management skills
• Possessing strong communicational skills in order to be able to participate in team projectsElectrical Engineer
This sector had 900 employments in May 2016, with an annual mean wage of $87,020. The basic responsibilities include:
• Handling the design and development of systems by perfectly following client specifications and technical details
• Performing tests on prototypes to check for possible malfunctions
• Examining test results to identify malfunctions and develop solutions
• Writing programs and enter data to maintain databases
The qualifications of an electrical engineer are:
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering
• Strong fundamental knowledge of the various theories and principles of electrical engineering
• Strong practical experience related to electrical engineering
• Strong computer, organizational, and communication skillsSoftware Developer
Almost 800 graduates chose to follow this career path in May 2016, earning an annual mean wage of $85,550. The primary responsibilities of software developers include:
• Examining and analyzing existing systems in order to improve them
• Designing, developing, and maintaining new systems
• Suggesting ideas on how to improve systems and databases within fixed budgets
• Preparing training manuals for users
The qualifications for this career path include:
• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering
• Strong grasp on the different theories and principles of computer engineering
• Strong computer hardware and software experience
• Being adept at troubleshooting and running diagnostics
• Ability to work both individually and as part of teamsRegistered Nurse
This was one of the most popular career paths followed by recent graduates in Hawaii in May 2016. There were more than 11,000 employments made in this field, with an annual mean wage of $88,910. The basic responsibilities include:
• Promoting self-care among patients
• Administering medicine and treatment procedures in cases of emergencies
• Monitoring and updating health reports on a daily basis
• Evaluating diagnostic test reports
• Maintaining and operating various healthcare equipment
Qualifications for following this career path include:
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing
• Strong grasp on the fundamentals of major health behavior
• Strong communicational skills
• Excellent leadership skills
• Ability to handle stressful situations with authorityMarine Engineer
This is an important career path in the island state of Hawaii, and has an annual mean wage of $82,290. The basic duties of marine engineers include:
• Overseeing the building and repairing of ships and boats
• Designing and building offshore gas and oil platforms
• Marine surveying
• Analyzing, maintaining, and ensuring the safety of engines, instruments, and systems
The qualifications of a marine engineer include:
• Bachelor’s degree in marine engineering, marine technology, or other related fields
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Excellent math and IT skills
• Strong grasp on technical theories and principles
• Leadership qualities
• Proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) skills
• Budget management skillsEnvironmental Engineer
This career path is also popular in the state of Hawaii, and has an annual mean wage of $81,850. The primary responsibilities include:
• Sampling soil and groundwater
• Characterizing soil
• Analyzing and improving existing methods of reducing pollution
• Researching and developing new methods of reducing pollution
• Promoting reducing, reusing, and recycling
The qualifications of this career path include:
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering, environmental science, or other related fields
• Excellent grasp on the fundamentals of environmental engineering
• Strong computer skills
• Strong communicational skills
In short, Hawaii has it all – fantastic environment, lush sceneries, plenty of outdoor activities, excellent universities offering a diverse selection of undergraduate degrees and having numerous scholarship opportunities, and job opportunities for graduates. When there is so much on offer, you just know that you cannot go wrong if you choose that state.